Getting a new computer, input.

My fathers work is offering different PC packages, I was thinking of buying one via him.

Here are the different options, I\'d like your input (I guess the PC is a HP/Compaq but with some things changed).

Package 1:

Intel P4 3.2GHz P4 540 i915-P, 1024 kB Cache
512 MB DDR SDRAM (400MHz)
HDD 250GB SATA (7200 rpm)
ATI Radeon x600 Pro PCI Express 256MB DDR
Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS
Motherboard: 5 slots PCI, 1 slot PCI-Express x16.

Package 2:
Intel P4 3.2 GHz P4 540 i915-P, 1024 kB Cache
1024 MB DDR SDRAM (400Mhz)
HDD 160GB SATA (7200rpm), a removable USB 2.0 (UATA)
nVidia Geforce FX6800 PCI-Express
Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS
Motherboard: 5 slots PCI, 1 slot PCI-Express x16

Package 3:
Intel P4 3.4GHz P4 550 i915-P, 1024 kB Cache
1024 MB DDR SDRAM (533 Mhz)
HDD 2x 160GB SATA (7200 rpm), a removable 160GB USB 2.0 (UATA)
nVidia GeForce FX6800 PCI-Express 256 MB DDR
Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS
Motherboard: 4 slots PCI, 1 slot PCI-Express x1, 1 slot PCI-Express x16


Monitors:
19” Samsung Sync Master 959NF 1920x1440 Diamontron TCO 99
Compaq 17” TFT1730 1280x1024 TCO 99
20” Compaq (20.1”) TFT L2025 1600x1200 TCO 99
19” Compaq TFT L1925 1289x1024 TCO 03

I have not kept up to date with the latest graphic-cards and processors.. Also I have no clue about DDR memory (Im still using the old 133 SDRAM :P) so I\'d like your input on that.

You think any of these options are worth my money? Also which monitor would you choose? Etc.

If you want more complete lists, just ask me.. I have a bunch of papers here with the info.

[Living-In-Clip]

I can\'t recommend any of the above. Why? They are not Apple.
Go Apple.
Wo0T.

Apple = forget gaming

Woot!!!!:p

An Apple would be nice, especially when Im having problems with this computer. Seems so easy to use, and the new Mac is sexy, but also very expensive.

Anyways, Im mostly interested in package 3..
But I am having problems choosing monitor? The 19” Samsung Sync Master 959NF seems nice, but its also huge, and a TFT would be nice because I need the extra space.

How are the TFT monitors for gaming? I remember when they first came out people were having problems with ghosting or something?

Also, the paper says GeForce FX6800 .. But I cant find a FX 6800! There are none..

I have a TFT monitor at work, that I game on here and there.  It looks a little choppier, but it\'s not enough to detract from gameplay.  And the space savings are a nice tradeoff for me and my cramped space.

Package 3 looks good to me

build.it.you.self

Also, the paper says GeForce FX6800 .. But I cant find a FX 6800!

What?

Originally posted by THX
build.it.you.self

Dont.want.to.pay.25%VAT.

What? [/B]

Doh, I was searching Tomshardware.com and it did not give me any results for FX6800. So I thought they got the names mixed up, but later I found that the ASUS cards are named FX 6800.. Its confusing.

Anyway, the (FX) 6800 seems very powerful, I wonder if its a GT or a Ultra or just the regular?

[§ôµÏG®ïñD]

if it says FX6800 its standard
if its FX6800U its ultra
if its FX6800GT well i\'m sure u can figure it out.

BEWARE of Asus when it comes to 6800 cards ! They are making \'bastard\' cards which\' specs are NOT line with Nvidia\'s
specs for Non-Ultra, GT and Ultra.

There is the Asus 6800 GE (gamers edition) which is basically a Non-Ultra but only with GDR3 memory, bult sold at GT price. Also
it has only 5 VERTEX pipelines opposed to a GT/Ultra\'s 6. Ppl think they get a real GT at a low price but imo this is just a scam.

Then there is the abomination of the Asus GT which only has 128 mb of DDR1 memory.

I wouldn\'t recommend both cards ! :o Asus is playing a very nasty marketing game. Nvidia totally dropped the \'FX\'  for the Geforce 6 line. It\'s just Geforce 6800, Geforce 6800GT or Geforce6800 Ultra.

If you want a good n cheap GT get one from BFG, XFX or MSI.
If you want a sure overclocker with dual dvi get a Gainward golden sample GT, like me.

You also might wanna consider AMD Athlon FX 51 instead of Intel.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2149&p=7

Originally posted by JBean
I have a TFT monitor at work, that I game on here and there.  It looks a little choppier, but it\'s not enough to detract from gameplay.  And the space savings are a nice tradeoff for me and my cramped space.

Package 3 looks good to me

Thanks.. Anyone know what the response times should be to get an acceptable quality in games when playing on TFTs?

20" = 25ms
19" = 20ms
17" = 25ms

Too high? Im leaning towards the 19”.

Knotter8

Thanks for the info. Im not sure what "brand" they\'ll be using. I bet its the cheapest possible though so I better have a fan ready for backup (my cheap Inno3D GeForce 4 Ti4200 broke after a month or so, only the fan thank god so it was easy to replace).

§ôµÏG®ïñD

Thanks, now I know. I got confused because most 6800 on Tomshardware did not have the FX in front of the number. I though FX = the new MX.

Well I have now ordered package 3.

This is what the tower looks like, ok I guess. My first tower that isnt all white/grey.



Finally, I get a DVD burner.

Also, after thinking a lot about which monitor to choose, I decided to get a TFT after all.

19" HP L1925.


(20ms responsetime, acceptable)

I need the space, and after hearing TFTs are easier on the eyes, especially when not playing, I decided to get it.

I also got the Logitech Z680 speaker system, my first 5.1 system (which also can be used with my PS2/GC and DVD).. I hope it will make a big difference when Im mostly used to (weak) stereo sound. My brother advised me NOT to buy any surround systems as, according to him, "they are over hyped", but Im thinking of converting him with some BF Vietnam action with EAX sound enabled.



Now I wont have to upgrade for at least 3 years, I hope..

[Living-In-Clip]

While I am not the biggest audophile (I leave that to Capcom) even I won\'t say that 5.1 sound (or anything above) is "over-hyped". When it comes to movie\'s, it\'s a great thing to have (tho\' my setup is rather crappy, mainly the speakers). Not sure about gamin\' tho, as I use a good set of headphones on the PC.

LIC: I hope you are right.

Now I just need to read up on how to position the speakers.

Have you thought about the PSU as well ? With the cpu\'s and videocards of today a good power supply is required for stable
operating.

Get at least a good brand 400W with at least 20 amperes on the 12V rail for the videocard. I have a Tagan480 with 28amps on 12V myself. Enermax and Antec I also recommend.

I dont think I need to worry about that. The company which builds the computers will do a DOA-test (Dead on Arrival = to make sure everything works, so I dont get a dead computer.. on arrival )
Also they will install all the necessary stuff (and junk, I remember my 2nd computer, a DELL. Full of crap I didnt need).

The computer Im using now I built myself, then I made sure I got a good enough PSU.

Now I just need to know how long it takes for them to deliver.. Our DELL (which we also bought via my fathers workplace, ~5 years ago), took a long ass time to be delivered. But they were built abroad, and I hope the capacity for building computers have grown since then.